Gouverneur Morris

“This magistrate is not the king. The people are the king.”

“We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defence, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.”

“If the people should elect, they will never fail to prefer some man of distinguished character, or services; some man, if he might so speak of continental reputation.”

“They (the French) have taken genius instead of reason for their guide, adopted experiment instead of experience, and wander in the dark because they prefer lightning to light.”

“Religion is the solid basis of good morals; therefore education should teach the precepts of religion, and the duties of man toward God.”

“Americans need never fear their government because of the advantage of being armed, which the Americans possess over the people of almost every other nation.”